U.S. patent number 7,971,637 [Application Number 12/393,769] was granted by the patent office on 2011-07-05 for dual mini well surface control system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Devin International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Wayne Ducote, Bryan Lee Duhon.
United States Patent |
7,971,637 |
Duhon , et al. |
July 5, 2011 |
Dual mini well surface control system
Abstract
A well surface control system for use with various types of work
strings such as, but not limited to, drill strings, coiled tubing,
snubbing pipe, electric line, production tubing, and wireline. The
system includes a main housing with a main bore extending from one
end to the other. The main housing is equipped with a side port
which communicates with the main bore between the two ends. The
main housing is also equipped with two valves for controlling fluid
and/or gas flows through the main bore and for severing a component
of a work string running through the main bore. The first valve is
positioned between the side port and one end of the main housing
and the second valve is positioned between the side port and the
other end of the main housing. Attached to each end of the main
housing is a saver sub, with means for temporarily locking the
saver subs to the main housing to prevent circular and longitudinal
movement of the saver subs in relation to the main housing.
Inventors: |
Duhon; Bryan Lee (Church Point,
LA), Ducote; Wayne (Houston, TX) |
Assignee: |
Devin International, Inc.
(Houston, TX)
|
Family
ID: |
42629925 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/393,769 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100212881 A1 |
Aug 26, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
166/54.5;
166/95.1; 166/76.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
33/068 (20130101); E21B 33/072 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
34/02 (20060101); E21B 29/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;166/88.1,80.1,90.1,91.1,95.1,54.5,76.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
International Search Report corresponding to International
Application No. PCT/US2010/025069. cited by other .
Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority
corresponding to International Application No. PCT/US2010/025069.
cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Thompson; Kenneth
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Walker; Jones
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A surface control system for a well, comprising: a main housing
having a longitudinal axis, an outer wall, a first end, and a
second end; a main bore extending through said main housing along
said longitudinal axis, wherein said main bore extends from said
first end to said second end of said main housing; a side port
through said main bore between said first end and said second end
of said main housing, said side port being equipped with a flange
interface; a first valve for controlling a fluid or gas flow
through said main bore and for severing a work string running
through said main bore, wherein said first valve is positioned
between said side port and said first end of said main housing; and
a second valve for controlling said fluid or gas flow through said
main bore and for severing said work string running through said
main bore, wherein said second valve is positioned between said
side port and said second end of said main housing.
2. The surface control system of claim 1, wherein said first end
and said second end of said main housing are each equipped with a
threaded connection.
3. The surface control system of claim 2, further comprising: a
first saver sub threadedly connected to said threaded connection of
said first end of said main housing; a means for temporarily
locking said first saver sub to said first end of said main
housing; a second saver sub threadedly connected to said threaded
connection of said second end of said main housing; and a means for
temporarily locking said second saver sub to said second end of
said main housing.
4. The surface control system of claim 3, wherein each of said
threaded connections of said first end and said second end of said
main housing is a female threaded connection.
5. The surface control system of claim 4, wherein said means for
temporarily locking said first saver sub to said first end of said
main housing comprises: a hole through said outer wall of said main
housing near said first end of said main housing; a circumferential
groove in said first saver sub that laterally aligns with said hole
near said first end of said main housing when said first saver sub
is completely threadedly connected to said first end of said main
housing; and a removable dowel extending through said hole and
engaging said circumferential groove when said first saver sub is
completely threadedly connected to said first end of said main
housing, whereby said removable dowel minimizes longitudinal and
rotational movement of said first saver sub in relation to said
main housing.
6. The surface control system of claim 5, wherein said means for
temporarily locking said second saver sub to said second end of
said main housing comprises: a hole through said outer wall of said
main housing near said second end of said main housing; a
circumferential groove in said second saver sub that laterally
aligns with said hole near said second end of said main housing
when said second saver sub is completely threadedly connected to
said second end of said main housing; and a removable dowel
extending through said hole and engaging said circumferential
groove when said second saver sub is completely threadedly
connected to said second end of said main housing, whereby said
removable dowel minimizes longitudinal and rotational movement of
said second saver sub in relation to said main housing.
7. The surface control system of claim 6, further comprising: a
female crossover sub connected to said first saver sub; and a male
crossover sub connected to said second saver sub.
8. The surface control system of claim 7, wherein each of said
first and second valves has a valve stems stem that is flush with
said outer wall of said main housing.
9. The surface control system of claim 8, wherein each of said
valve stems of said first and second valves is recessed from said
outer wall of said main housing.
10. The surface control system of claim 9, wherein each of said
first and second valves is manually operated.
11. The surface control system of claim 10, wherein each of said
first and second valves is operated hydraulically, remotely,
mechanically, pneumatically, or electronically.
12. A surface control system for a well, comprising: a main housing
having a longitudinal axis, an outer wall, a first end, and a
second end, wherein each of said first and second ends is equipped
with a threaded drill pipe box; a main bore extending through said
main housing along said longitudinal axis, wherein said main bore
extends from said first end to said second end of said main
housing; a side port through said outer wall of said main housing
in communication with said main bore between said first end and
said second end of said main housing; a first modular canister ball
valve for controlling a fluid or gas flow through said main bore
and for severing a work string running through said main bore,
wherein said first modular canister ball valve is positioned
between said side port and said first end of said main housing; and
a second modular canister ball valve for controlling said fluid or
gas flow through said main bore and for severing said work string
running through said main bore, wherein said second modular
canister ball valve is positioned between said side port and said
second end of said main housing; a first saver sub threadedly
connected to said threaded drill pipe box of said first end of said
main housing; a means for temporarily locking said first saver sub
to said first end of said main housing; a second saver sub
threadedly connected to said threaded drill pipe box of said second
end of said main housing; and a means for temporarily locking said
second saver sub to said second end of said main housing.
13. The surface control system of claim 12, wherein said means for
temporarily locking said first saver sub to said first end of said
main housing comprises: a hole through said outer wall of said main
housing near said first end of said main housing; a circumferential
groove in said first saver sub that laterally aligns with said hole
near said first end of said main housing when said first saver sub
is completely threadedly connected to said first end of said main
housing; and a removable dowel extending through said hole and
engaging said circumferential groove when said first saver sub is
completely threadedly connected to said first end of said main
housing, whereby said removable dowel minimizes longitudinal and
rotational movement of said first saver sub in relation to said
main housing.
14. The surface control system of claim 13, wherein said means for
temporarily locking said second saver sub to said second end of
said main housing comprises: a hole through said outer wall of said
main housing near said second end of said main housing; a
circumferential groove in said second saver sub that laterally
aligns with said hole near said second end of said main housing
when said second saver sub is completely threadedly connected to
said second end of said main housing; and a removable dowel
extending through said hole and engaging said circumferential
groove when said second saver sub is completely threadedly
connected to said second end of said main housing, whereby said
removable dowel minimizes longitudinal and rotational movement of
said second saver sub in relation to said main housing.
15. The surface control system of claim 14, further comprising; a
female crossover sub connected to said first saver sub; and a male
crossover sub connected to said second saver sub.
16. The surface control system of claim 15, wherein each of said
first and second modular canister ball valves is manually
operated.
17. The surface control system of claim 16, wherein each of said
first and second modular canister ball valves is operated
hydraulically, remotely, mechanically, pneumatically, or
electronically.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The subject invention relates generally to an apparatus for
controlling a well on a rig or platform.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the course of drilling, completing, and producing subterranean
reservoirs, operators find it necessary to rig up and run into a
well various types of work strings. Examples of work strings
include, but are not limited to, drill strings, coiled tubing,
snubbing pipe, electric line, production tubing, and wireline.
When working with subterranean reservoirs, operators are always
concerned about the high pressure that may exist in such
reservoirs. These high pressures may reach several thousands of
pounds per square inch. Thus, during any type of operation
involving work strings that are run into a well, operators will
employ various types of valves at the surface of the well to
isolate the crew members working on the well from the high pressure
within the reservoir.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a well surface control system for use with
various types of work strings such as, but not limited to, drill
strings, coiled tubing, snubbing pipe, electric line, production
tubing, and wireline. The preferred embodiment of the present
invention includes a main housing having a longitudinal axis, an
outer wall, a first end, and a second end. A main bore extends
through the main housing along the longitudinal axis from the first
end to the second end of the main housing. The main housing is
equipped with a side port through the outer wall of the main
housing in communication with the main bore between the first end
and the second end of the main housing. The main housing is also
equipped with two valves for controlling fluid and/or gas flows
through the main bore and for severing components of a work string
running through the main bore. The first valve is positioned
between the side port and the first end of the main housing and the
second valve is positioned between the side port and the second end
of the main housing. Attached to each end of the main housing is a
saver sub, with means for temporarily locking the saver subs to the
main housing to prevent circular and longitudinal movement of the
saver subs in relation to the main housing.
An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a single,
compact system for controlling pressure in a well and for severing
components of a work string. Another advantage of the present
invention is that it provides a locking mechanism to keep
crossovers securely connected to the system in a derrick of a rig.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that it can be
quickly and easily connected to any type work string. Yet another
advantage of the present invention is that it provides a faster
rig-up and rig-down time than conventional blow out preventers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings are provided for the purpose of
illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the
limits of the present invention. The drawings illustrate a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view of one preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic of the one preferred embodiment of the
present invention rigged up to a well on a rig.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the embodiment of
the present invention showing the first locking system.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the embodiment of
the present invention showing the second locking system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
While the present invention will be described with reference to
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited
to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode
contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the
invention will include all embodiments (and legal equivalents
thereof) falling within the scope of the appended claims.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1
and 2. Well surface control system 10 includes a main housing 20,
wherein said main housing 20 has a longitudinal axis 21, a first
end 22, a second end 23, and an outer wall 25. Referring to FIG. 2,
main bore 24 extends generally along longitudinal axis 21 from
first end 22 to second end 23 of main housing 20.
Main housing 20 is preferably equipped with a side port 30 through
outer wall 25, which can serve as an inlet or outlet for fluids
flowing through main bore 24 into or out of a well. Side port 30
can be equipped with a flange interface 31, as shown in FIG. 1, for
connecting a valve 32 and/or other flow control equipment, as shown
in FIG. 3. Flange interface 31 is an improvement over the prior art
in that it virtually eliminates the risk of valves and other flow
control equipment being inadvertently disconnected from side port
30.
Side port 30 can be connected to a tank for receiving fluids and/or
gas exiting the well, or connected to a pump for introducing
fluids, such as a kill fluid, into the well for controlling the
pressure of the reservoir inside the well. As understood by those
of ordinary skill in the art, the hydrostatic head of the fluid
introduced into the well suppresses reservoir pressure and, thus,
the term "kill fluid" is used in this context.
As shown in FIG. 2, main housing 20 is preferably equipped with a
first valve 40 and a second valve 50 for controlling fluid and/or
gas flows through main bore 24 and for severing components of a
work string 101 (shown in FIG. 3) running through main bore 24, as
discussed in more detail below. First valve 40 is preferably
positioned generally along longitudinal axis 21 of main housing 20,
between side port 30 and first end 22 of main housing 20. Second
valve 50 is preferably positioned generally along longitudinal axis
21 of main housing 20, between side port 30 and second end 23 of
main housing 20.
First valve 40 and second valve 50 are preferably M&M Canister
Guard ball valves commercially available from M&M
International, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,203 assigned to
M&M Supply Co. (incorporated herein by reference). It should be
understood that any valves that perform the functions of
controlling fluid flow through main bore 24 and severing components
of a work string 101 running through main bore 24 are acceptable
for purposes of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, main housing 20 contains an opening 41
through outer wall 25 for accessing valve stem 42 of first valve 40
so that the valve mechanism of first valve 40 may be manipulated.
Main housing 20 also contains an opening 51 through outer wall 25
for accessing valve stem 52 of second valve 50 so that the valve
mechanism of second valve 50 may be manipulated. In the preferred
embodiment, valve stems 42 and 52 are flush with or recessed within
the outer wall 25 of main housing 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The flush or recessed valve stems 42 and 52 are an improvement over
the prior art in that they create a more streamline profile for
well surface control system 10, and they minimize the potential for
damage to valve stems 42 and 52.
The valve mechanisms of first valve 40 and second valve 50 can be
manipulated either manually or mechanically. In either case, the
valves are opened or closed by turning valve stems 42 and 52. One
method of mechanically manipulating the valve mechanisms of first
valve 40 and second valve 50 is by hydraulic control means, as
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
In the preferred embodiment, first end 22 has a threaded drill pipe
box 26, as shown in FIG. 2. A first saver sub 60, having a male end
61 with a threaded drill pipe pin 62, is preferably connected to
threaded drill pipe box 26 of first end 22. Well surface control
system 10 is preferably equipped with a locking system 120 for
keeping first saver sub 60 securely threaded to first end 22.
Locking system 120 includes at least one hole 121 through outer
wall 25 of main housing 20 which communicates with main bore 24
near first end 22 of main housing 20, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and
5. Locking system 120 also includes a circumferential groove 63 in
threaded drill pipe 62 of first saver sub 60, wherein, when first
saver sub 60 is completely threaded into first end 22 of main
housing 20, circumferential groove 63 is laterally aligned with
hole 121 near first end 22 of main housing 20. Locking system 120
further includes a dowel 122, which removably extends through hole
121 and engages circumferential groove 63 in threaded drill pipe
box 62 of first saver sub 60. Hole 121 can be equipped with female
threads to coincide with male threads on dowel 122 to hold dowel
122 firmly against circumferential groove 63. In this position,
dowel 122 minimizes the longitudinal and rotational movement of
first saver sub 60 in relation to main housing 20.
Likewise, in the preferred embodiment, second end 23 has a threaded
drill pipe box 27, as shown in FIG. 2. A second saver sub 70,
having a male end 71 with a threaded drill pipe pin 72, is
preferably connected to threaded drill pipe box 27 of second end
23. Well surface control system 10 is preferably equipped with a
locking system 130 for keeping second saver sub 70 securely
threaded to second end 23. Locking system 130 includes at least one
hole 131 through outer wall 25 of main housing 20 which
communicates with main bore 24 near second end 23 of main housing
20, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. Locking system 130 also
includes a circumferential groove 73 in threaded drill pipe 72 of
second saver sub 70, wherein, when second saver sub 70 is
completely threaded into second end 23 of main housing 20,
circumferential groove 73 is laterally aligned with hole 131 near
second end 23 of main housing 20. Locking system 130 further
includes a dowel 132, which removably extends through hole 131 and
engages circumferential groove 73 in threaded drill pipe box 72 of
second saver sub 70. Hole 131 can be equipped with female threads
to coincide with male threads on dowel 132 to hold dowel 132 firmly
against circumferential groove 73. In this position, dowel 132
minimizes the longitudinal and rotational movement of second saver
sub 70 in relation to main housing 20.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, first saver
sub 60 has a female end 64 with a threaded drill pipe box 65. A
first crossover sub 80 having a male end 81 with a threaded drill
pipe pin 82 can be connected to female end 64 of first saver sub
60. Different first crossover subs 80 having a second end 83 that
can vary in size can be connected to first saver sub 60 to
accommodate different work strings, such as, for example, but not
by way of limitation, a 7'' 29# Hydril 563 Box, or a 51/2'' 20# VAM
Top HC Box, or a 6'' 30.9# VAM Top HC KA Box, or a 57/8'' XT-M57
Box, or the like.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, second saver
sub 70 has a female end 74 with a threaded drill pipe box 75. A
second crossover sub 90 having a male end 91 with a threaded drill
pipe pin 92 can be connected to female end 74 of second saver sub
70. Different second crossover subs 90 having a second end 93 that
can vary in size can be connected to second saver sub 70 to
accommodate different work strings, such as, for example, but not
by way of limitation, a 7'' 29# Hydril 563 Pin, or a 51/2'' 20# VAM
Top HC Pin, or a 6'' 30.9# VAM Top FTC KA Pin, or a 57/8'' XT-M57
Pin, or the like.
In the open position, first valve 40 and second valve 50 allow
fluid flow through main bore 24 (and through side port 30, if
desirable) in either the up hole or down hole scenario. In
addition, while in the open position, first valve 40 and second
valve 50 allow operators to raise or lower various types of work
strings, such as, for example, drill strings, coiled tubing,
snubbing pipe, electric line, production tubing, and wireline,
through well surface control system 10, as is readily understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic of the preferred embodiment of
well surface control system 10 operatively rigged up to a well on a
floating rig 100 will now be described. The well is completed to a
subterranean reservoir 102, wherein the reservoir 102 is under
pressure and the pressure is communicated to the well. The
schematic of FIG. 3 shows that a coiled tubing unit 103 is rigged
up on the floating rig 100, wherein the coiled tubing 104 can be
run into the well through the well surface control system 10. A
tubular string 105 is shown within the well and wherein the coiled
tubing 104 may be concentrically disposed within the tubular string
105, as well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. It
should be understood that other types of work strings can be
employed and run through the well surface control system 10, such
as snubbing pipe, wire line, electric line, drill pipe, production
tubing, etc.
During well intervention work, when first valve 40 and second valve
50 are in the open position, there are occasions when high-pressure
fluid will begin to flow up the well. On these occasions, well
surface control system 10 can control the pressure and flow of
fluid from within the well by closing second valve 50 and first
valve 40. These valves can be actuated either hydraulically,
remotely, mechanically, pneumatically, or electronically. In the
preferred embodiment, particularly during wireline operations, the
closing of first valve 40 and second valve 50 will sever the
wireline or other components of a work string, which avoids having
to remove the wireline or work string from the well before closing
first valve 40 and second valve 50.
During producing and pumping stages, well surface control system 10
can be used to release pressure from within the well by closing
first valve 40 and opening second valve 50 and valve 32 to release
pressure into a tank (not shown). As readily understood by those of
ordinary skill in the art, the operator may also choose to pump
fluids into the well through valve 32 and second valve 50 (while
first valve 40 is closed). The operator can pump a fluid, such as a
weighted fluid, to control the pressure in the well. The weighted
fluid is sometimes referred to as a kill fluid. Once the well
pressure is under control by the operator, first valve 40 can be
opened, after which a work string, such as a coiled tubing, can
then be concentrically lowered through well surface control system
10 and the tubular string 105, thereby allowing operations can
continue.
Although this invention has been disclosed and described in its
preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is
understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms is
only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of
construction and operation and in the combination and arrangement
of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *